Choosing the best garage door material is a crucial decision that impacts not only the functionality and durability of your door but also the aesthetics and security of your home. With various options available, each offering unique advantages and drawbacks, it’s essential to understand the differences to make an informed choice.
This garage door material comparison expert guide explores the four most popular garage door materials: steel, timber, GRP, and aluminium.
Steel Garage Doors: Durable and Cost-Effective
Steel garage doors are perhaps the most common choice for homeowners seeking a balance of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Pros:
- Durability and strength: Steel is robust and can withstand significant impact and harsh weather conditions.
- Design flexibility: Available in numerous designs, steel doors can mimic wood or have modern finishes.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep compared to natural wood.
- Cost-effective: Generally, steel doors offer good value for money.
Cons:
- Rust potential: If not properly treated, steel can rust, especially in coastal areas.
- Paint flaking: Over time, painted steel can peel or flake, requiring periodic repainting.
Timber Garage Doors: Classic and Customisable
Timber garage doors offer a timeless, natural beauty, although they’re prone to warping and rotting if not properly maintained.
Pros:
- Aesthetic appeal: Timber doors offer a classic, natural look that many homeowners love.
- Customization: Wood can be easily customized with stains and paints to match your home's exterior.
Cons:
- Maintenance-intensive: Timber requires regular treatment to prevent warping, rotting, and insect damage.
- Heavy: Wooden doors can be quite heavy, which may necessitate stronger opening mechanisms and more frequent maintenance.
GRP Garage Doors: Lightweight and Durable
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) garage doors provide a lightweight yet durable option with low maintenance requirements and versatile design possibilities.
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable: GRP doors are lightweight yet strong and resistant to dents and corrosion.
- Low maintenance: They do not warp, rust, or require painting.
- Aesthetic versatility: Can mimic wood grain or have a sleek, modern finish.
Cons:
- Cost: Generally more expensive than steel.
- Brittle: Can crack under severe impact.
Aluminium Garage Doors: Modern and Efficient
Aluminium garage doors combine lightweight construction with excellent insulation properties, making them a modern and efficient choice for many homes. At Garolla, we pride ourselves on our high-quality, insulated aluminium roller garage doors.
Pros:
- Lightweight: Aluminium doors are easy to handle and install, putting less strain on opening mechanisms.
- Corrosion-resistant: Aluminium naturally resists rust, making it ideal for coastal or humid environments. Garolla's range of electric garage doors are also powder coated in a range of colours to match your home for added garage door durability.
- Cost: You not only get top-notch quality but also affordability, making it a smart choice for your home.
- Strength and security: Despite being lightweight, aluminium doors offer robust security and durability.
- Customizable: Available in 55mm or 77mm slat heights, our aluminium electric garage doors are made to measure and tailored to your specific needs.
- Insulated: Our doors are made from twin-wall aluminium slats filled with high-density polyurethane foam, providing excellent heat and sound insulation.
Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common garage door material?
Steel is the most common garage door material due to its flexibility and durability. At Garolla, we choose to use aluminium because it is lightweight, easy to install, and corrosion-resistant, often proving to be the most cost-effective with high-quality results.
What are most garage doors made of in the UK?
The most common materials used in garage door construction include:
- Steel: Known for its durability and low maintenance.
- Aluminium: Lightweight and resistant to corrosion.
- Wood: Preferred for its aesthetic appeal but requires more maintenance.
What makes a garage door more expensive?
The design and style significantly influence the overall cost of a garage door. Intricate designs, custom finishes, and unique features can increase the price. For instance, carriage-style doors often have a higher cost due to their detailed craftsmanship. At Garolla, we offer made-to-measure, tailored garage doors that are affordable, with prices starting from £995, including free fitting.
Use our online door builder to create the perfect garage door for your home and get a price estimate in under a minute.
Choosing the Right Garage Door Material
Choosing the right garage door material is essential for long-term satisfaction and functionality. At Garolla, our aluminium garage doors combine the best features of durability, insulation, and aesthetic appeal, ensuring you get the most value for your investment. Book a survey today!